Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Friday's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Sunshine and showers
A good amount of dry and bright weather, but scattered bursts of rain, some may be locally heavy.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 4th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 3rd Sep 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales over high terrain in all areas, severe on higher mountains making progress very challenging and feeling cold. Showery rain, most frequent in western Scotland, scattered heavy bursts passing eastward. Remnants of overnight rain soon clears from Wales to be more often dry, less windy southwards.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales, severe on tops. Bursts of rain passing eastwards.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest then westerly, 45 to 55mph, powerful gusts in showers, rising to a sustained 60mph higher summits, stronger gusts over Cairngorm plateau 70mph, or stronger middle of day into afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous to difficult walking conditions, frequent buffeting knocking you off balance on exposed terrain. Any mobility at times challenging on tops. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain, showery bursts
Showery rain most frequent near/west of the A9, but a cluster of more frequent showery bursts passing eastwards during the morning, then briefly drier, but a scattering of heavy showers extend east again during afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, some breaks
Varying over high terrain often above 900-1000m, some lower banks in rain in the west to 800m or lower for a time. Breaks more often toward 1200m furthest east away from showers.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west to 60% east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, occasional sun mostly east early morning and again into afternoon. Visibility often good, but reduced at times in rain, mostly in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, little change all day. Directly in the wind, feeling like -5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 5th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 3rd Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 40-50mph at dawn, easing during morning, 20-25mph afternoon, turning S-SW'ly; rising into night to 50-60mph+.
Effect of the wind on you?
Blustery and chilly start, more challenging just at first, but lessening to be fairly small. Deteriorating significantly into night.
How Wet?
Rare brief showers
Well scattered light showers spreading from the west during the day. Into the night, risk of persistent rain developing from the south, some heavy.
Cloud on the hills?
Clearing most tops
Patchy cloud drifting over higher slopes in the morning, mostly in western Cairngorms and above 900-1000m. Lifting to upper slopes and often above many tops afternoon, odd patches near Ben Alder.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun, best in east; high cloud tending to develop later from south. Visibility very good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6C rising to 8C afternoon, little change or rising a degree or so higher into night. Feeling like -5C in the wind early in day.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 6th September 2026
Last updated
Thu 3rd Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 50 to 70mph, strongest over Cairngorm plateau, plus local powerful gusts downslope to north.
Effect of the wind on you?
Challenging conditions on exposed terrain walking and balance difficult in places. Feeling cool in exposure despite mild air.
How Wet?
Patchy rain
Drizzly rain in the air, some steadier rain at times mainly in western areas near A9.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent south
Banks of cloud over high terrain, likely often rolling across Cairngorm plateau, but breaks forming northward.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun mainly north. Hazy.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, humid all day, rising on some slopes to 14C. Feeling near to 0C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled through the next week with spells of rain and showers moving in from the Atlantic, accompanied by frequently strong to gale force mountain winds. A window of better weather and less wind on Saturday, but further rain moves into Scotland from the southwest by Saturday night into Sunday, heaviest northwest Highlands; gales also return to many mountains by Sunday. Temperatures will vary, mildest toward the south, but cooler air moves in from the north at times next week bringing higher Scottish tops occasionally close to freezing point. Indications favour improving weather patterns during mid-month.